Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Operation at Temperatures of 500–650°C

Research within the Centre for Ion Conducting Membranes at Imperial College, London, is aimed at developing an innovative Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The main features of this technology involve the fabrication of a thick film PEN structure supported on a ferritic stainless steel substrate. Use of a metal support enables a robust structure to be fabricated, better able to withstand stresses developed during operation. Research has shown it is possible to arrange a processing schedule that allows the deposited electrolyte powder to be sintered into an impermeable thick film (10–20 μm) at temperatures around 1000°C. This relatively low sintering temperature is compatible with the mechanical integrity of the stainless steel support. An anode film is initially deposited on the metal support followed by deposition of the electrolyte powder. Much of the initial development work has been carried out using ceria based electrolytes. The cell is completed by the deposition of a cathode. This paper presents results arising from this programme, and reports on the development and characterisation of both anode and cathode materials, as well as progress in cell development.